Unions are calling out to Macarthur businesses to pay young employees the correct public holiday penalty rate this Easter long weekend, warning that they will be out in force checking up on them.
Unions NSW Assistant Secretary, Thomas Costa, says casual employees were particularly vulnerable to being ripped off during public holiday periods.
“In key industries such as retail and hospitality, special loading rates of double time and a quarter and sometimes double time and a half apply for working Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday,” he said.
“Most employers are excellent so it’s really important they don’t have to compete with people who are ripping off their staff, that’s completely unfair.”
All four days of the Easter long weekend are public holidays including Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
“It’s really important employees are aware of this, and if they’re in any doubt or think they’re being ripped off, they should contact their union,” Mr Costa said.
Australia Institute data shows on average Australian workers do 6.1 hours of unpaid overtime a week.
“That’s like giving $230 to your boss each week,” Mr Costa said, reminding employees that it was voluntary to work on public holidays.
“No worker should feel coerced into working Good Friday or Easter Sunday – you have every right to decline a shift.
“As it is Aussies do more unpaid overtime than anywhere in the world, so they truly deserve a bonus when they also work on their holidays,” Mr Costa said.
